Alcaudete between the Castle, olive oil and Laguna Honda

Culture and history

The Castle-Palace of Alcaudete was built between the 13th and 14th centuries as part of the defensive belt protecting the western border of the Kingdom of Jaén. The Castle of Alcaudete is considered a visitor attraction; its medieval walls illustrate the region’s battles and aristocratic history.

The official sightseeing tour of Alcaudete begins at Plaza de Santa María. This is where the Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor stands, with a Gothic structure featuring three naves and a Renaissance main chapel. The church was recognised as an Asset of Cultural Interest in 1931.

The Iglesia de San Pedro was designed by the architect Francisco del Castillo and completed in the second half of the 16th century by his associate Juan de la Monja. It was built on the foundations of an earlier hermitage in the new suburbs that developed as a result of Alcaudete’s strong population growth from the 16th century onwards.

The Convento e Iglesia de Santa Clara was founded pursuant to a papal bull issued in Rome by Pope Alexander VI on 21 September 1499. The building has the only complete stone portal in the province of Jaén; it is designed in two superimposed levels. The Iglesia de la Encarnación o del Carmen is the only surviving part of the former Encarnación convent, whose foundation dates back to 10 October 1590.

At the Museo del Aceite de Alcaudete, a true-to-scale 3D model of a modern olive mill displays the complete production process.

Routes and landscapes

The Ruta de los Miradores is a 15-kilometre route. It begins about one kilometre from the centre of Alcaudete and climbs towards the Sierra Ahillos. There is a variant for bicycles that goes around the Sierra Ahillos.

The Sierra Ahíllos – vuelta route offers Mediterranean flora and fauna, springs and viewpoints overlooking the Guadalquivir landscape and the Sierra Nevada.

The Laguna Honda Nature Reserve covers 65 hectares and also has a 220-hectare protected zone. Laguna Honda is a seasonal endorheic wetland that fills with the first autumn rains and holds water until spring.

On the Ruta de las Lagunas, the former railway line is considered a strategic observation point; winter is the best time to visit the lagoons. The Vía Verde del Aceite runs directly alongside the Laguna Honda Nature Reserve at kilometre 50.5; there, visitors can observe the wetland’s diverse birdlife.

After passing the building intended to house railway workers, the Vía Verde del Aceite connects with signposted cycling routes in the Sierra Sur de Jaén.

Pilgrim routes and water

The section of the Camino Mozárabe between Alcaudete and Baena is a 25.4-kilometre pilgrimage route through landscapes with centuries-old olive groves, country tracks, streams and minor roads. It begins at Plaza 28 de Febrero next to Alcaudete Town Hall.

The Zona recreativa río San Juan leisure area is located at the so-called Puente Palomillas and offers drinking-water fountains, barbecue facilities, tables and seating. Seasonal fishing for brown trout and barbel, as well as river bathing, is possible there.

Festivals and regional traditions

The Fiestas Calatravas de Alcaudete are recognised as a Festival of Tourist Interest in Andalusia and have been held on the second weekend of July since 2005. For years, the highlight has been a medieval re-enactment featuring the “Asalto a la Villa de Alcaudete”.

Olive oil and tasting

The AOVE Carrasqueño oleotourism experience includes a visit to the “Un día en 1958” museum and a practical introduction to tasting. This includes sampling various extra virgin olive oils from Carrasqueño.

More destinations

More places in the same navigation section: Mengibar, Ermita Nueva, Hornos, Torreperogil, Arbuniel, Campillo De Arenas, Noalejo, Iznatoraf.

To the higher-level travel overview: Jaen.